Date: Sun, 28 May 1995 10:15:39 -0400
From: CUNYGS::MJS"Mike Stirratt"4-MAY-1995.21:16:39.25@casti.com
Subj: THE WALL STREET PROJECT (WSP)
The Wall Street Project
Contact: Nick Curto, Co-Chair
185 East 85th Street, Suite 25A
New York, NY 10028-2147
Voice/Fax (212) 289-1741
*THE WALL STREET PROJECT*
The Wall Street Project has one goal -- to eliminate discrimination based
on a person's sexual orientation in every workplace across this country.
The lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities, and our many friends, must
mobilize against discrimination. We are all stakeholders in U.S. corporations
through our pension funds, insurance policies, personal stockholdings and
contributions to foundations, charities, colleges and universities.
We must take a stand against any corporation in America that denies equal
employment opportunity.
One of the most powerful tools available is to enlist the economic might
of socially responsible investors. This strategy has been employed in the
fight to end apartheid in South Africa, has forced changes in employment
practices in Northern Ireland, and prompted corporations to protect the
environment.
Many investors are forcing change by investing according to their social
principles. They have demonstrated an ability to take a stand and *demand*
change.
CORPORATE CENSUS:
The Wall Street Project's comprehensive Census of the Fortune 500 Service
and Industrial Corporations has led to a database on equal employment policies
regarding sexual orientation in corporate America. "We found that 134 of
America's largest companies have written policies barring discrimination based
on sexual orientation," commented Nick Curto, co-chair of The Wall Street
Project. "While these numbers are encouraging, the fact remains that millions
of gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans are not afforded their basic human
rights."
EQUALITY PRINCIPLES:
The Wall Street Project produced a major new initiative for gay, lesbian,
and bisexual equality in the workplace through *The Equality Principles on
Sexual Orientation*. Aimed at setting goals for the workplace, The Equity
Principles prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, discrimination
against HIV positive employees or those with AIDS, and stereotyping in
advertising. Diversity training is encouraged, as well as equality in spousal
benefits and equal standing for employee groups, regardless of sexual
orientation.
Beginning with the Fortune 500 Industrial and Service Corporations,
companies will be asked to support and implement the Equality Principles.
Additionally, institutional investors, including pension funds, religious
institutions, foundations, colleges and universities -- which control $4
trillion in investments -- will be urged to ask companies in their portfolios
to adopt and implement the initiative.
SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM:
The Wall Street Project has served in a leading role in shareholder
activism. In 1993 the Project took on Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, a
company with a deplorable record of firing employees perceived to be gay or
lesbian. The Project supported a proxy solicitation for a shareholder
resolution, sponsored by the New York City Employees Retirement System
(NYCERS), which called on Cracker Barrel to amend its corporate policies to
bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING:
The Wall Street Project is taking crucial and historic steps towards
gaining equality for all people. Join us now -- contribute time and money, to
make a difference for yourself, the community, and for the generations to
follow.
The Wall Street Project
Contact: Nick Curto, Co-Chair
185 East 85th Street, Suite 25A
New York, NY 10028-2147
Voice/Fax (212) 289-1741
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that you heard about The Wall Street Project on the internet!